Chapter 4: Abstract Master Picasso
"The Traveler is called 'Ying,' and her brother is called 'Kong.' They are twins who drifted here from another world…"
"But when they tried to leave this world, a strange deity blocked their path and attacked them…"
Paimon spoke as she drew stick figures in the sand to illustrate: "This deity's signature move is the square attack."
Bennett and Su Han both leaned in curiously, watching the abstract master Paimon concentrate on her sandy doodles.
"The god's power was too overwhelming. Even the siblings together couldn't defeat it. The situation was extremely dire and brutal."
The next scene made Ying's lips twitch, and her fists clutched instinctively.
Square, square, square;
Square, empty, square, square;
Square, square, square.
"The Traveler's brother was trapped by countless squares like this and then taken away by the deity, while the Traveler herself had her powers sealed."
"Can you guys understand Paimon's drawing?"
"Uh…" The three of them rolled their eyes in unison.
"Don't worry, Traveler. Su Han and I will help search too," Bennett said reassuringly.
"So, 'Traveler' literally means someone from another world, and 'Kong' was captured by a deity and is now missing?" Su Han asked.
"You could put it that way," Ying nodded.
Su Han's expression darkened. Amid the puzzled stares of the others, he slowly stood, clasped his hands together, and then ran off without another word.
"The green mountains remain, the rivers flow on—we shall meet again!"
"Huh?" Ying let out a lazy snort.
"Uh… hehe, I only did that to liven up the mood…" Su Han forced a stiff smile, glancing at the unsheathed sword at his neck.
As expected, when experts clash, every strike is lethal. Even with my movement speed boosted by 20%, I can't be careless. There's still a long road ahead.
Ying is truly my lifelong rival.
[System: Yeah, right.]
"Hmph, you big liar! I thought you had some clever plan, but you're just running away!" Paimon stomped in frustration.
"I think… Su Han might have his own reasoning for doing this," Bennett hesitated, trying to defend him.
"Mr. Su Han, I had no ill intent toward you from the start, and I wasn't expecting any reward," Ying said calmly.
"If you had thanked me sincerely from the beginning, I would have let you go. The so-called reward was just a joke I threw out."
"But now that you've promised to help me find my brother, you can't just sneak off," she added slowly.
"I… I will, I will…" Su Han chuckled stiffly.
Ying's lips curved slightly as she held his somewhat tense hand, leaning close to whisper: "Don't even think about running away. I'm looking forward to that 'missing person notice' you promised."
…
After a brief rest, Paimon and Bennett led the way as guides. After a night-long trek, dawn was breaking.
Under the intimidating presence of his unsheathed sword, Su Han stayed close behind, not daring to leave Ying's side.
"Let's go. Our destination is—the Statue of the Seven!"
"Of the seven gods in this world, which one is the Traveler looking for?"
"Definitely not Lord Barbatos…" Bennett muttered.
[Option 1: Let me think—someone who attacks with squares… could it be… that god likes playing Tetris? Reward: (Wind Escape) Level +1]
[Option 2: I also think it's not Barbatos, because the name sounds too silly—like they only know how to undress socks. Reward: A set of white stockings]
[Option 3: Kick her butt when she's not looking, then quickly apologize while acting cute. Reward: 500 store points]
"Hmm, let me see… someone who attacks with squares—could it be…"
Ying stopped in her tracks, staring intently at Su Han as he pondered.
"Could it be that the deity likes playing Tetris?"
Su Han's eyes lit up. "I've got it! The Traveler is looking for the Square God!"
Bennett: "…"
Paimon: "…"
Ying was speechless. Really, me expecting anything from you… maybe that's the problem.
Su Han quietly exhaled in relief. He had almost chosen the third option—this reckless system constantly tempts him to self-destruct. Terrifying.
"Hey, look over there…"
Though the mountains were shrouded in thin mist, following Paimon's pointing, their eyes passed over the forests and fields and finally spotted a small island surrounded by clear lake water.
On the island stood a statue.
"The statues of the gods are scattered across the continent, symbolizing the Seven Gods' protection. Among the seven elemental gods, this one governs the [Wind]…"
A soft breeze brushed against their faces, carrying a faint fragrance. Paimon's words became barely audible.
Ying tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and asked softly, "Is it beautiful?"
Even Su Han had to admit: "It is…"
Ying: "So… why are you staring at me? Look at the statue, geez…"
Su Han: "It is beautiful. But I'd appreciate it more if you let me go."
Ying: "Dream on…"
Paimon sighed. "Hey, are you two even listening to me? Stop whispering to each other!"
The pair sheepishly turned to face the distant Statue of the Seven.
Bennett grinned: "Even though we just met, you two seem to get along surprisingly well."
Paimon scratched her cheek in confusion. "I don't know if the Traveler is looking for the Wind God, but… there's a reason I brought you to the Wind God's territory."
"As we know, language and poetry drift on the wind… there should be some news of your brother carried in it. That's my thought…"
"Of course, whether the god responds can only be known by trying."
"It will. I'm sure Lord Barbatos will answer the Traveler's wish and help her find her brother," Bennett said.
"Why don't you just say Lord Barbatos will appear in front of Ying himself?" Su Han rolled his eyes.
Suddenly, Ying stopped and said in a low voice: "Wait…"
The others looked on in confusion as she nimbly leapt onto a tree ahead.
She expertly retrieved a clutch of bird eggs—exactly four.
Paimon: "…"
Has the Traveler's mature and reliable aura changed completely? Did Su Han infect her with his style?
Ying: "Let's go. Breakfast is settled for today."
Paimon: "Yay! Eggs for breakfast!"
…
The group quickened their pace and soon arrived at the Statue of the Seven under Wind God Barbatos.
Standing beneath it, Ying touched the wind-elemental mark lightly with her pale hand, deep in thought.
Then, the statue shifted subtly—
A gentle, barely perceptible breeze brushed their faces, while brilliant teal light shimmered around it.
The orb in the statue's hands filled with dazzling light, transforming into a wind-elemental crystal that gently merged into Ying's body.
Feeling wind-elemental energy surge within, Ying parted her lips, slightly surprised, as if lost in thought.
Now!
A sharp glint passed through Su Han's eyes. Taking advantage of Ying's distraction, he turned, ready to flee.
Heh…
Ying's lips curved slightly. She had anticipated this, and now was the perfect chance to test her newly regained powers.
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